We’ve seen a lot of exciting matches over the last four days. And it isn’t over yet.

The Semi Finals and Grand Finals are here, slated for today, and we have some surprising contenders for the title – and a good many top-tier teams down in the dust and in red ruin.

How the Quarter Finals went…

G2 Esports crushed SK Gaming

SK got off to a reasonable start on Cobblestone, winning 16-11, but lost in overtime in Inferno, 19-17. Finally, G2 crushed SK in the final map, 16-11, to win into the Semi Finals. Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire has been a lethal executioner in this match series, totalling out at 80 kills, and taking nearly 40 kills in the Inferno combat.

SK Gaming fans might be a tad disappointed with their performance in this event. On the other hand G2 Esports have shown once again that they are one of the best teams in the world.

Ninjas in Pyjamas defeated Natus Vincere

Yes, Ninjas in Pyjamas have showed once again that DreamHack Masters is ‘home ground’ by defeating Natus Vincere 2-1. A message to all that the DreamHack title is theirs to keep.

The match series between the two teams started out with NiP being crushed in the Train map 16-6. But then they forced an overtime in Nuke to beat their opponents by a marginal 22-20. Na’Vi began to fail under pressure in the last map, with NiP decimating them 16-8.

William ‘draken’ Sundin turned the tide in Nuke, with a terrifying 39 kills.

Image Credit: DreamHack

Gambit decimated Astralis

Astralis got to the Quarter Finals on a tide of victory, only to be annihilated by Gambit Esports in every single match of the series, with the last map breaking Astralis 16-6.

Hobbit and fitch have been especially lethal in this series – if they can carry that level of play through the Semi Finals and into the Finals, Gambit has a shot at the title.

North crushed Immortals

North tested ‘Immortals’ boast, breaking them 2-0 in a crushing series win.

The Mirage map went into overtime, and ended Immortals’ dreams of the title with a 19-17 victory.

Image Credit: DreamHack

And now… the Semi Finals

The teams that qualified for the Semi Finals are G2 Esports, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Gambit Esports and North.

These are the slated best-of-three (BO3) matches. Timings are CEST.

G2 Esports vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas (11:00 – 14:00)

Gambit Esports vs. North (14:00 – 17:00)

Who will dominate the Semi Finals of DreamHack Masters Malmö?

G2 Esports vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas

The first match is between G2 Esports and Ninjas in Pyjamas. Both teams have won all the rounds in this event so far. Both teams defeated strong top-tier teams to get into the Semi Finals.

Ninjas in Pyjamas have shown a massive improvement in game play in this event, reminding people that they were once at the top of Counter Strike world. We’d like to see NiP in the Finals. However, G2 have shown an intense professionalism all through the event, so it’s quite possible that they will prevail.

Gambit Esports vs. North

Both of these teams have shown incredible play getting to the Semi Finals of DreamHack Masters Malmö, crushing their opponents 2-0 in the Quarter Finals. Gambit Esports have made a very good come-back from the Decider Matches.

Though these teams are quite new to the Counter Strike world, they are a force to be reckoned with. North has marked this year by regularly defeating higher-ranked teams. That gives North a slight edge over Gambit Esports to win these matches.

Betting Predictions

For match one, Ninjas in Pyjamas might prevail, since they have shown iron determination in getting this far, and seem to be willing to go to any lengths to defend their title. However, G2 Esports have shown greater reliability getting this far, and so may decimate NiP. The match could go either way, but G2 seems to have a small edge.

For match two, you can trust North. Gambit Esports is good, but North seems to have the edge.

Finals Predictions

We’d like to see Ninjas in Pyjamas facing off against North in the Finals, with perhaps a shot at retaining their title. But that’s pure sentimentality – G2 are a very strong team, and likely to reach the Finals.

If Ninjas in Pyjamas do reach the Finals, they’re likely to dominate either Gambit or North.

If G2 Esports reach the Finals instead of Ninjas in Pyjamas, they are likely to dominate. They are a powerful, experienced team, and Gambit and North won’t be able to match them play-by-play.

The Grand Finals will take place today at 18:00–21:00 (CEST), and will be BO3 matches.

Whether you win or lose, the After Party will aid both remembrances and forgetting.